The Baroque Era Doctrine of the Affections

Discuss the Doctrine of the Affections – the Baroque-era idea that music is capable of expressing and arousing emotion in “Dido’s Lament” context.

Analyse “Dido’s Lament” by Henry Purcell and answer the following questions:

• What are some of the following elements that arouse emotion: use of instruments, dynamics, pitch, rhythm, timbre?
• What emotion(s) do you think it is supposed to arouse?
• Do you find yourself feeling those emotions?